Dr. Herman B. Gray Named New President And CEO Of United Way for Southeastern Michigan

DETROIT, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) announced today that Dr. Herman B. Gray has been appointed to the position of President and CEO of the organization, effective the end of September.

Dr. Gray is a physician and child and family advocate with a career as pediatrician, medical faculty member, community advocate, hospital administrator, chief operating officer and chief executive officer.  He has a long history with Children's Hospital of Michigan, the Detroit Medical Center, and Wayne State University, where he began in the late 1970s as chief pediatric resident. In 2003, he was named Chief Operating Officer of Children's; in 2005, he was named President of the hospital and Senior Vice President of the Detroit Medical Center; in 2013, he was named Chief Executive Officer of Children's Hospital and Executive Vice President of Pediatric Health Services for the Detroit Medical Center.  Currently, Dr. Gray serves as Executive Vice President, Pediatric Health Services, Detroit Medical Center. 

Dr. Gray is a 1976 graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.  In 2003, he earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration in a physicians' executive program at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Dr. Gray serves on the boards of national, state and local professional and community organizations, including the Children's Hospital Association Board of Directors, the Skillman Foundation Board, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, and the U.S. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion in 2011.  

"We felt Dr. Gray's understanding of the community, his passion for helping children and families, and his proven business acumen made him the ideal leader as we evolve into the next chapter of United Way's role of creating positive community change in the areas of Education, Financial Security and Basic Needs," said Beth Ardisana, board chairperson of UWSEM.

"I've witnessed first-hand the significant influence United Way has had in the southeastern Michigan region and the value it brings in convening the various private, non-profit and government agencies to rally around a cause, and I'm excited to lead this organization as it moves forward in strengthening our community," said Gray. Gray will replace Michael J. Brennan, who is stepping down from his post after more than 30 years of service to United Way, the last 12 as CEO and President of the office here in Southeastern Michigan.

Gray and his wife Shirley are the parents of two adult daughters.

United Way is one of the leading nonprofits in Greater Detroit. It works with an array of agency partners to solve some of the community's most intractable issues while providing tools to help individuals and families meet their basic needs, develop economic self-sufficiency and improve educational opportunities for themselves and their children.

About United Way for Southeastern Michigan

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual Campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness. Additional information is available at www.liveunitedsem.org.

SOURCE United Way for Southeastern Michigan

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www.liveunitedsem.org